Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 5th, 2018 3:26PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The wind has arrived and slabbed up the snow in the alpine. Be cautious approaching lee features and cross loaded gullies. Good skiing can be found in sheltered areas at tree line and below.

Summary

Confidence

Weather Forecast

The weatherman is calling for a mix of sun and cloud for Tuesday with an alpine temperature of -12c and ridge winds from the west at 20km/hr.

Avalanche Summary

One size 1 to 1.5 avalanche with a crown of 60cm was triggered by a skier walking along the edge of Tent Ridge.

Snowpack Summary

Today we skied up to Tent Ridge. It was fairly windy where we were and noticed the wind blowing in many of our ski areas. 40cm of storm snow in the alpine has started to slab up with Sunday night and Monday's winds. These new slabs are reactive to skier traffic, especially on lee sides and cross loaded gullies. These new slabs overly harder buried wind slabs which produced moderate test results in the pit we dug today. The deeper persistent layers that are 80-180cm down were found but did not produce any test results.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow has started to slab up in the alpine.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopes

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Loose Dry

Ice climbers be alert for overhead hazard

Carry avalanche safety equipment on ice climbs in avalanche terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Large triggers are a concern. Cornices, and small avalanches are likely triggers.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 6th, 2018 2:00PM